UNITED WAY OF THE LOWCOUNTRY Making a Difference in Our Community

The needs in our community are great as many working families struggle to make ends meet. “Many of the clients we see at United Way of the Lowcountry are working parents trying to raise a family on a minimum wage salary in an area with a high cost of living and few affordable housing options,” said Chrystie Turner, Vice President of Community Impact for United Way of the Lowcountry. “As many live paycheck to paycheck, any unforeseen financial burden can send a working family into a financial crisis.”

United Way of the Lowcountry depends on the generosity of this community to help meet the immediate needs of our neighbors and reduce future needs. To address those immediate needs, United Way funds well-known agencies and their internal HELPLINE. Through United Way’s Community Impact process, the organization is also working to create a positive impact by focusing on four priority areas including Basic Needs, Education, Health and Income/ Family Stability. In addition, the organization supports education through its comprehensive Reading Program, Read Indeed. Evidenced based strategies are used to tutor children in elementary schools throughout Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

The dollars donated to United Way of the Lowcountry stay local, helping people throughout Beaufort and Jasper Counties. As the organization’s fiscal year wraps up this month, United Way is encouraging anyone who hasn’t given to this year’s Annual Campaign to donate $19 and anyone who has already given, to consider donating an additional $19. You’re probably wondering why $19. This amount represents the 19% of children in Beaufort County living in poverty. “We want to bring awareness to this issue and encourage everyone to get involved, says Tina Gentry, United Way of the Lowcountry President & CEO. “Just imagine the impact it would make if everyone in our community donated just $19.”

“My wife and I give to United Way because we know they are accountable for the dollars we invest,” says Charlie Francis, United Way of the Lowcountry de Tocqueville Co-Chairman. “With this year’s Annual Campaign ending on March 31st, I ask you to please consider making a donation to this worthy organization. No gift is too small. “

By making a donation to United Way of the Lowcountry you could help provide:

Seniors with dietary specific home delivered meals

Students with one on one, in-school tutoring as well as books to help them read on grade level and succeed through United Way’s Read Indeed program

Students with the opportunity to attend a financial literacy workshop to establish positive spending habits early in life, stressing the importance of protecting your identity and credit

Homeless family members with housing, as well as case management, budget classes, employment services and education to secure housing when the family leaves the program

Primary care services for low income, uninsured adults (Individuals who make too much to receive Medicaid, but not enough to be able to afford private insurance)

Electricity to a family in need to help keep the lights on and provide heat to keep children warm

“Our Annual Campaign is not about the dollars raised, it’s about what those dollars will do to help us meet the immediate needs of our neighbors and build a stronger community,” says Tina Gentry, United Way of the Lowcountry President & CEO.

To make a donation to United Way of the Lowcountry, visit www.uwlowcountry.org or mail a check to United Way of the Lowcountry at P.O. Box 202 Beaufort, SC 29901. You can also text LOWCOUNTRY to 30306.